The 9 Best Things to Do in Tulum Mexico + 2 I’d Skip

There are so many reasons why I still love Tulum and why I think it’s worth visiting no matter what people on the internet say and one of the biggest ones is the fact that Tulum has way more to offer than just a beach.

I’ve been to Tulum a handful of times now, and every trip I find myself doing the same mix of things I love: exploring Mayan ruins, swimming in cenotes, and spending long afternoons at beach clubs. For me, that’s way better than being stuck at a resort where all you can do is rotate between the pool and the ocean.

So, to help you plan your trip, I put together a list of my favorite things to do in Tulum Mexico, based entirely on my own experiences. And, just to keep it real, I also included two things I think you can totally skip.

Top Things to Do in Tulum – My Experience

I’ve been to Tulum a few times now, and over the years I feel like I’ve checked off most of the main activities and that’s honestly one of the reasons I keep coming back. Compared to other resort towns in Mexico, Tulum just has more character and way more things to do than just lying on the beach.

Even just wandering around Tulum Pueblo (the actual town center) is fun. It’s a real Mexican town with amazing energy and some of the best authentic food I’ve had in the area. I think people often forget about this side of Tulum and only picture the hotel zone, but there’s so much more here.

As for my favorites: visiting the cenotes is always at the top of my list (and there are so many, I’m not sure I’ll ever see them all). The Mayan ruins in Tulum are gorgeous too, and taking a day trip to Chichén Itzá was such a highlight. 

I’ve also loved snorkeling and scuba diving in the area, especially snorkeling with turtles in Akumal, which was pure magic and something I’d happily do again. Scuba diving in the cenotes is still on my bucket list though… so I guess I already have an excuse to come back!

1. Explore the Cenotes Around Tulum

If you’ve never heard of a cenote before, it’s basically a natural sinkhole filled with fresh water, and the Tulum area is absolutely full of them. They’re not just pretty to look at, they’re perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or even scuba diving if you’re into underwater cave systems.

I’ve been to quite a few cenotes around Tulum by now (and still haven’t made it to all of them, there are just so many). One of my most recent visits was to Casa Tortuga, which is more like a little cenote park with several pools to swim in. We spent the day kayaking and cliff-jumping from different heights and it was super fun! Another favorite of mine is Cenote Dos Ojos, which feels almost otherworldly and even has a little café where you can chill between swims. And then, of course, there’s Gran Cenote, probably the most famous one, where I had such a cool experience of swimming with turtles.

I usually ride my bicycle out to the cenotes, which sometimes takes forever, but I love the ride. If you don’t want to cycle, you can also rent a car, book a driver through your hotel or Viator, or join a cenote day tour. Just avoid taxis if you can, chances are you’ll end up paying way too much.

Book Here: Cenote Tour Tulum

2. Go on a Sail Boat Trip for Sunset

One of the best things I did on my most recent trip to Tulum was a sunset sail on a catamaran and honestly, it was incredible. I’ve done sailing trips before in Bacalar and Cozumel (both amazing), but this one might have been my favorite.

The whole experience was super smooth: we got picked up at our hotel in Tulum by a friendly driver and brought straight to the pier, where the boat was waiting. Onboard, there was an open bar, snacks (charcuterie with cheese and meats), good music, and a really fun crew that made the whole thing feel extra special. 

But the highlight was, of course, watching the sun dip down over the Caribbean from the water, absolutely unforgettable. If you love being out on the ocean, this is one experience I’d highly recommend

Book Here: Sunset Sailboat Trip

3. Relax at a Beach Club

As much as I love biking to cenotes, taking day trips to Mayan ruins, and filling my days with activities, I also love the opposite: doing absolutely nothing. Sometimes the best part of my Tulum trip is spending a whole day stretched out by the beach, eating good food, sipping drinks, and just burning in the sun.

Tulum is pretty famous for its beach clubs, and while it’s not something I splurge on every single day (too expensive, and honestly I’d get bored after a while), I always dedicate at least one day of my trip to go all in. 

That means booking a bed, ordering all the fresh fruit, cocktails, and snacks, and treating myself to the full beach club experience. To me, it just wouldn’t feel like a Tulum vacation without it.

Now, not all beach clubs are equal. Some are definitely overrated, for example, Papaya Playa Project is super popular, but I personally think it’s way overpriced. 

My favorite is Tantra Beach Club. Yes, it’s still expensive, but I feel like it’s actually worth it: the vibe is gorgeous, the food and drinks are genuinely good, and I just really enjoy being there. Out of all the clubs I’ve tried, Tantra is the one I’d go back to in a heartbeat.

4. Visit the Mayan Ruins of Tulum

Mexico is full of Mayan ruins, and I’m honestly obsessed with visiting them. I’ve seen the ruins in Palenque, explored some around Mexico City, and of course made the trip to Chichen Itza. But the Mayan ruins in Tulum are actually some of my favorites and absolutely worth a visit.

What makes them so special is the location. These ruins sit right on a cliff overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea, which makes the whole experience feel extra magical. Standing among ancient stone structures while staring out at that view is pretty incredible.

A little tip before you go: the ruins are part of Parque Nacional Tulum (Jaguar National Park), so you’ll need to pay two separate entrance fees, one for the park and one for the ruins, which comes out to about $25 USD in total. 

But here’s the fun part: inside the park you’ll also find Playa Ruinas, which in my opinion is the best beach in Tulum. My advice is, visit the ruins first, then spend the rest of the day on the beach. That way you really get the most out of your ticket (and your time).

5. Try Authentic Mexican Food

If you’ve read any of my other blog posts about Mexico, you’ll already know one thing about me: I am completely obsessed with Mexican food. 

I love it all, street tacos, quesadillas, mole, ceviche, aguachiles, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles… you name it, I’ll happily eat it.

And here’s something I feel pretty strongly about: Tulum is totally underrated when it comes to food. People often just picture the overpriced beachfront restaurants and trendy beach clubs, but honestly, some of the best meals I’ve had in Mexico were right here in Tulum. I’d say, skip the hotel zone and spend more time in Tulum town, especially in the area named La Veleta. That’s where the real magic happens, with some of my top authentic restaurants serving food that tastes like Mexico should.

A few of my personal favorites:

• For street tacos, El Tio in downtown Tulum is unbeatable (and such good value).
  
• For authentic sit-down Mexican food, Taqueria Honorio is my go-to.
  
• And for something a little nicer while still keeping the traditional flavors, I love La Taqueria in La Veleta.

If you want even more food recommendations, I actually put together a full guide to the best restaurants in Tulum, definitely check that out if you’re planning your foodie itinerary.

6. Join a Day Trip to Chichen Itza

I’ve been to Chichen Itza a couple of times now, and while it’s not technically a Tulum-specific activity, it’s such a major highlight in the region that I had to include it. You can easily book a tour to Chichen Itza from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or Cancun, it’s one of those bucket list experiences that’s worth making the trip for.

Honestly, I think it’s worth every visit (yes, that’s why I’ve been twice). After all, it’s one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and also one of the best-preserved Mayan archaeological sites you’ll ever see. Standing in front of El Castillo, the iconic pyramid, never gets old.

That being said, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The site is full of vendors selling souvenirs, which takes away a bit from the atmosphere, but I still think the history and scale of the place outweigh that downside. 

My biggest tip is to get a guide or book a proper day tour. The first time I went, I skipped the guide and basically just stared at pyramids without really understanding what I was looking at. The second time, with a guide, I learned so much more and appreciated it on a whole different level.

Book Here: Chichen Itza Day Trip

7. Check out the Best Cafes in Tulum

I’m a huge coffee lover, probably because I lived in Australia for three years (yes, they really do have the best coffee in the world, and I’ll die on this hill). Ever since then, it’s turned into a bit of an obsession: every time I travel somewhere new, I have to hunt down the best local coffee shops.

Luckily, Tulum has an incredible café and restaurant scene, and over my many visits I’ve made it my mission to try as much of it as possible. In fact, I even wrote a full guide to the best cafes in Tulum that you should definitely check out.

If I had to pick just one favorite spot, it would be Long Time Coffee. They make amazing coffee and matcha, and the whole place has such a cool, laid-back vibe that I could spend hours there.

Quick tip: when it comes to food and cafés in Tulum, skip the overpriced hotel zone and head to La Veleta instead, that’s where you’ll find most of the best restaurants and coffee shops.

8. Swim with Turtles in Akumal

I’m a huge fan of snorkeling, I just love being in the ocean and I’ve done it all over Mexico: Isla Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel… you name it. The water around here is perfect for spotting marine life, and I’ve had some of my best snorkeling days in this part of the world.

One of my favorite memories was swimming with turtles in Akumal. When I first did it a few years ago, I could just show up with my own mask and snorkel, head straight into the water, and spot turtles right off the beach. Unfortunately, like many things around Tulum, it’s become more regulated since then. From what I’ve read, you now need to book a guided tour to access the snorkeling area.

Even with the changes, I still think it’s 100% worth it. Snorkeling alongside turtles is such a magical experience and something you won’t forget.

👉 Book here: Snorkel with the Turtles in Akumal Tulum

9. Explore the Nightlife in Tulum

Tulum’s nightlife has always been part of its reputation with jungle raves, sunset DJ sets on the beach, and all-night parties at the beach clubs. Honestly, the very first time I ever heard about Tulum, it was mentioned in the same breath as “amazing nightlife.”

I’ve only dipped my toes into that scene, but I have friends who live for it, going to the famous Zamna Festival (basically a massive rave in the jungle) and dancing in beach clubs until sunrise. 

Personally, I lean more toward a reggaeton night than a deep-house jungle rave. For that, Tulum’s downtown is perfect, with more local-style clubs and bars that match my vibe better.

Either way, whether you’re into the big-name electronic scene or something more casual, Tulum is a great place to go out at night.

Two Things in Tulum I Thought Were Not Worth it

As much as I love Tulum, not everything here is great and honestly, some things have only gotten worse over the years. These are two things I really don’t recommend:

Overrated Beach Clubs & Restaurants (Papaya Playa Project)

I love staying in the hotel zone because the hotels are gorgeous, and having peaceful beach access without the chaos of the public beach is amazing (seriously, the public beach situation in Tulum is awful). 

But that’s where my love for the hotel zone ends. Most of the restaurants and beach clubs are completely overrated and ridiculously overpriced. My worst experience by far was at Papaya Playa Project with terrible food, overpriced drinks, and a vibe that was basically nonexistent. 

Definitely read reviews before going, and don’t get sucked into the “famous” places just because of the name.

Shopping in the Hotel Zone

Shopping in the hotel zone is another big no from me. At first, the boutique shops look cute, but after a couple stops, I realized they all sell the exact same thing. Cheap, mass-produced clothes (probably from Shein or Alibaba) rebranded as “eco-friendly” and sold for $200 a piece. 

I had to stop browsing because it just made me furious. Honestly, don’t waste your money here, save it for experiences, or buy from real local artisans instead.

FAQs About What to Do in Tulum Mexico

What are the best things to do in Tulum Mexico with kids?

There are plenty of family-friendly activities in Tulum, but my top pick is Casa Tortuga. It’s basically a cenote park with cliff jumps, zip lines, ATVs, and more. Kids love it, and honestly, so do adults.

What are the best free things to do in Tulum?

This one is tricky. I used to say “the beach,” since Tulum always had public beach access, but lately that’s been taken away. At this point, very few things are truly free in Tulum, you’ll almost always have to pay something.

Is Tulum worth visiting?

Yes, I think it’s still worth visiting but with a little caution. Some things have definitely gotten worse over the years, like limited public beach access and crazy taxi fares. Just go in knowing what to expect, and you’ll still have a great time.

What is Tulum famous for?

Tulum is best known for its beachfront resorts and its cenotes, those magical sinkholes filled with clear water where you can swim, snorkel, or even scuba dive.

Final Thoughts on the Best Tulum Activities

At the end of the day, I still really enjoy Tulum and everything there is to do here, even if it has changed a lot. For me, it’s all about exploring the cenotes, hanging out at a beach club (at least once), and eating as much amazing food as possible.

Yes, Tulum has its problems, but on my last trip, I had a fantastic time. I went to the beach, indulged in great meals, and treated myself to a bit of luxury at my hotel. To me, that’s exactly what Tulum is about: finding that balance of adventure and relaxation.

I hope this guide helped you put together your own list of things to do in Tulum and gave you a little inspiration for your next vacation.

Check Out My Other Tulum Travel Guides

Is Tulum Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

How to Get Around in Tulum: My Taxi & Bicycle Guide

Where to Stay in Tulum Mexico: The Top Areas & Hotels

Best Time to Visit Tulum: How to Avoid the Seaweed

How to Get to Tulum Mexico: Cancun Airport to Tulum

Cafes in Tulum: The Best 7 Cafes Tulum

Best Restaurants in Tulum Mexico: My Top Food Spots

Best Things to Do in Tulum Mexico: My 9 Top Activities

Beaches in Tulum Mexico: Our Favorite Tulum Beaches